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What is Europe's Currency?

Europe does not have one official currency. The euro is the main currency used across much of the continent and is the official currency of 21 European Union countries.

Currency:

euro

Currency code:

EUR

Central Bank:

European Central Bank

Currency symbol:

€ (euro)

Currency sub unit:

c (cent)

Countries using euros:

20

Bank notes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500
Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2

What is the euro?

The euro, shown as EUR or €, is the official currency of 21 European Union countries. Together, these countries form the euro area, also known as the Eurozone.



Euro banknotes come in €5, €10, €20, €50, €100 and €200 denominations. The €500 note remains legal tender, but the European Central Bank no longer issues it, so you’re unlikely to receive one during your trip. Euro coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent denominations, as well as €1 and €2.



You can use euros across popular destinations such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece and Portugal. However, several European countries use their own currencies, so check the local currency for each destination before you buy euro currency.





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Travel smarter with the Travelex Money Card

picture of the Travelex Money Card

Load euros onto Travelex’s travel money card before you leave and lock in the displayed AUD to EUR rate. You can then tap and go wherever Mastercard Prepaid is accepted, or withdraw cash from supported ATMs.

  • Get a better EUR rate when you load AU$2,000 or more.
  • Pay in euros from your loaded EUR balance with no currency conversion fee.
  • Withdraw foreign cash overseas with no Travelex ATM fees¹.
  • Save with no foreign exchange fees^ & real-time exchange rates.
  • Top up through the Travelex Money App or online.
  • Manage multiple currencies effortlessly.
  • Access dedicated Mastercard Global Support 24 hours a day.
  • Collect your card free of charge from most Travelex stores as soon as the next business day***

What to spend your euros on:

  • Eiffel

    Entry to Eiffel Tower

    25 euros *

  • Taxi

    3-mile taxi ride

    15 euros *

  • Cloth Icon

    Tourist t-shirt

    10 euros *

  • Stamp Icon

    Postcard and a stamp

    1.5 euros *

  • Beret

    French beret (but don't)

    20 euros *

How many euros will I need?**

Please select your budget above.

- +
* * * * * *
- +
* * * * * *

Total spending money needed:

  • *A budget
  • *for people for
  • * nights

*Recalculate

Must-sees in Europe

Berlin
  • Berlin
  • See Berlin your way, with landmark architecture, independent galleries and neighbourhood cafés all within easy reach. You can also visit historic sites, enjoy the nightlife and still keep your travel budget under control.
Paris
  • Paris
  • Take in Paris at your own pace, starting with a morning coffee and a fresh croissant. Then walk beside the Seine, see the Eiffel Tower or spend a few hours at the Louvre. With markets, parks and neighbourhood bistros nearby, you can shape each day around what interests you most.
Santorini
  • Santorini
  • Spend your day among Santorini’s whitewashed villages, blue domes and cliffside paths, then settle in for sunset over the Aegean. You can also visit local vineyards, beaches and quiet towns away from the crowds.

How to buy euros online

To buy euros online, enter the amount you want to exchange in Australian dollars, then choose either euro cash or our Travelex Money Card. Review the displayed AUD to EUR exchange rate before continuing to checkout and paying online.

  • 1. Click the ‘Buy Euros Now’ button below
  • Tell us how much you need for your trip in cash or travel card.

  • 2. Choose where to get it
  • Collect at more than 3,600 pick up locations across Australia.

  • 3. Pay online
  • You can pay online using either PayID, BPAY, Visa or MasterCard®



Why buy euros with Travelex?

Travelex gives you a trusted and convenient way to buy euros before your trip. You can order online, lock in the displayed AUD to EUR rate and choose euro cash, a Travelex Money Card or both, based on how you plan to spend.

Travelex opened its first store in 1976 and now helps millions of customers in more than 70 countries each year. With us, you can:

  • Check the latest AUD to EUR online rate and recent rate history with our Currency Converter before you order.
  • Access a better online EUR rate when you exchange AU$2,000 or more.
  • Order online and pay using PayID, BPAY, Visa or Mastercard®.
  • Use click and collect for euro cash at Travelex stores or participating Australia Post outlets, with more than 3,600 pick-up locations across Australia.
  • Choose home delivery for the Travelex Money Card only.
  • Manage your Travelex Money Card through the app, freeze it if it goes missing and access dedicated Mastercard support 24 hours a day.



Best place to buy euros in Australia

The best place to buy euros in Australia is one that lets you check the rate before you pay and collect your order at a convenient location. With us, you can buy euros cash online and pick them up at a nearby Travelex store, Australia Post location or airport branch.

Use our store locator to find your nearest branch or view currency exchange locations in:

If you’re working out how to buy euros in Australia before you fly, you can also check our airport locations and choose a collection point that suits your trip.


Payment Options in Europe

Payment options in Europe vary by country and merchant. Debit cards, credit cards and travel money cards are common, but cash remains widely used across the euro area. A card can cover much of your day-to-day spending, while having euros in cash gives you a useful backup where card payments are not available.

  • Perfect for: Small purchases, taxis, markets and for tipping (where customary)
  • Pros: Widely accepted across the euro area and useful as a backup payment option
  • Cons: Harder to track spending and not as secure

Why use foreign cash?

  • Cash is widely accepted across the euro area and remains a common way to pay in person.
  • Carrying a small amount can help at markets, smaller shops and places where card payments are unavailable.
  • Tipping customs differ across Europe. Check your bill for a service charge and follow local customs at your destination.

 

Things to consider:

  • Carry only the cash you expect to need and store it securely. Avoid keeping all your money in one wallet or bag.
  • Cash spending can be harder to track. Keep a simple daily budget or check your remaining euros at the end of each day.
  • Perfect for: Loading euros before your trip and managing several currencies on one card.
  • Pros: Reloadable, easy to manage through the app and not linked to your bank account.
  • Cons: Direct BPAY top-ups generally take two business days. Some ATMs may charge their own fees.

Why use a prepaid travel card?

  • Load euros before you leave, then pay online or in person wherever Mastercard Prepaid is accepted.
  • Hold several supported currencies on one card, which can help if your trip includes European countries that do not use the euro.
  • Check your balance, move money between currencies and freeze your card through the Travelex Money App.
  • Review the exchange rate and Australian dollar cost before confirming your top-up.

Things to consider:

  • Travelex does not charge an international ATM withdrawal fee, but the ATM operator may charge a fee or set its own limit.
  • Direct BPAY top-ups generally take two business days and attract a 1% fee when made outside the Travelex website or app.

See how our award-winning Travelex Money Card can help you carry and manage euros across Europe.

  • Perfect for: Hotel deposits, car hire, larger purchases and emergency backup.
  • Pros: Convenient for card payments at many hotels, restaurants and retailers.
  • Cons: Some banks charge foreign transaction fees. Acceptance can also vary by country and merchant.

Why use a debit or credit card?

  • Pay for accommodation, car rental and larger purchases without carrying extra cash.
  • Keep as a backup if your euro cash or travel money card is unavailable.
  • Use a credit card for hotel deposits or car hire, where a pre-authorisation may be required.

Things to consider:

  • Your card provider may charge an international transaction fee on overseas purchases. This can apply even if the transaction appears in Australian dollars.
  • Hotels and car hire companies may place a temporary hold on your funds or credit limit.
  • Carry some cash in euros as a backup, as card acceptance can vary across businesses and destinations.

ATMs are common in cities and towns across the euro area, so you can withdraw cash during your trip. Access may be more limited in remote areas, so carry some euro cash if you plan to travel away from larger towns.

Why withdraw cash in Europe?

  • Withdraw cash as you need it instead of carrying your full travel budget at once.
  • Access euros for markets, smaller businesses and other places where card payments may not be available.
  • Withdraw local currency in European countries that do not use the euro.

Things to consider:

  • Your bank or card provider may charge an overseas ATM fee or a currency conversion fee.
  • ATM operators may charge their own fee or set withdrawal limits.
  • Several small withdrawals may result in repeated fees, so check the total cost shown on screen before confirming.

Foreign currency ATMs let you withdraw euro cash with an eligible card. They’re available at major Australian airports and selected shopping centres, although euros are only stocked at certain locations. The exchange rate and total amount you’ll receive appear on screen before you confirm.

Why use Travelex ATMs in Australia?

  • Withdraw euros without filling in forms or visiting a store counter.
  • Review the exchange rate and amount before completing the transaction.
  • Get foreign cash within seconds at an ATM that stocks euros.
  • Access selected airport ATMs 24 hours a day.

Check Travelex’s foreign currency ATM page to check locations and available currencies.

 

Things to consider:

  • Not every Travelex ATM dispenses euros, so check your chosen location first. Fees apply at airport ATMs.
  • Travelex does not charge a fee for foreign currency withdrawals at shopping centre ATMs, but your card provider may charge its own fee
  • The maximum withdrawal is AU$800, or the equivalent in foreign currency, per transaction
  • Your bank’s daily withdrawal limit may also apply.
  • Travelex ATMs accept card withdrawals only, so you can’t exchange Australian cash at the machine.

Where to buy euros in Australia

Check our full list of branches or click the links below to find stores around major cities and buy euros at the best exchange rate today.



European Countries and the Euro

Non-EU members that use the euro:
Andorra Monaco San Marino
Kosovo Montnegro Vatican City

EU members that do not use the euro:
Bulgaria Denmark Sweden
Hungary Czek Republic Poland


Frequently Asked Questions about Money in Europe

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  • Do I have to tip in Europe?

    Tipping customs differ between countries and venues. Check your bill first, as a service charge may already be included. For example, restaurant prices in France usually include service, although you can leave a small extra tip for good service.

  • Can I use Travellers Cheques in Europe?

    Travellers’ cheques may still be accepted or exchanged in some places, but they’re much less convenient than they once were. Cards and ATMs are now easier to use across Europe, so consider taking euro cash, a travel money card or a bank card instead.

  • Can I use euros in European countries that do not use them?

    The euro is the official currency of 21 EU countries, as well as several non-EU countries and territories. In other European countries, plan to pay in the local currency rather than relying on euros. Check the currency used at each destination before you leave.

  • Is it better to buy euros in Australia or Europe?

    Buying euros in Australia lets you review the AUD to EUR exchange rate, lock in the displayed online rate and arrive with euro cash ready for early expenses. Buying euros after you arrive may suit you if you plan to use cards or local ATMs, so compare the exchange rate, fees and collection options before deciding.

    For more guidance on the best ways to buy euros, read our Tips for Buying Foreign Currency.

     

  • Where can I buy euros?

    You buy euros in-store. If you prefer to buy online, order euro currency with Travelex and collect your cash from a Travelex store, a participating Australia Post outlet, or a selected airport location. You can also load euros onto a Travelex Money Card for card payments and ATM withdrawals during your trip.

  • When is the best time to buy euros?

    There is no guaranteed best time to buy euros because exchange rates can move throughout the day. Monitor AUD to EUR trends, then set a target using our free Exchange Rate Tracker to receive an email alert when EUR reaches your desired rate.

* Rates are subject to change throughout the day. In-store rates vary compared to online.

¹Some ATM operators may charge their own fee or set limits.

^ Based on mid-market and Travelex Online AUD to FX exchange rates as of the date of the relevant social media post and/or email communication. Rates are subject to change throughout the day. Any rates and savings are quoted as a guide only.

*** Business days. Some stores open 7 days. The next available date will be displayed when ordering.

** The figures provided are indicative only and are there to provide an idea of the amount of travel money you may need during your trip.

Travelex Limited (ABN 36 004 179 953, AFSL Number 222444) arranges for and sells Online Foreign Currency via its Online Ordering Facility. You should consider the Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any product.

Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386 837) arranges for the issue of the Travelex Money Card in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited (‘EML’)(ABN 30 131 436 532, AFSL 404131). You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement for the relevant Travelex Money Card and Target Market Determination available at www.travelex.com.au, before deciding to acquire the product. Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.